“Marcia Baila” is a pop and new wave song by the French duo Les Rita Mitsouko, composed by Catherine Ringer and Fred Chichin. Recorded in France in 1984, it was issued in April that year as the third single from the duo’s debut album, Rita Mitsouko. The song was dedicated to Argentine dancer and choreographer Marcia Moretto, a friend of the group who had appeared on its tours and died of breast cancer in 1983. Although its title is Spanish, the lyrics are in French.
The original album version runs 5:35, while the 7-inch single edit is 4:30; extended, instrumental, French-language and English-language versions were also released. Produced by Conny Plank and Les Rita Mitsouko, the recording became one of the group’s signature songs. It reached number two on the French singles chart in 1985 and remained in the Top 50 for 29 weeks. Later versions include Spanish-language recordings by Los Del Sol and Ricky Martin, and a cover by Nouvelle Vague.
